2000 Dodge Ram Pickup Lariat 5.9L (Magnum 360) from North America

Summary:

Purchased the truck as a loss leader. Great bargain made even better with a few mods

Faults:

No issues to report. This truck has been a solid performer. Expect it will be for years to come.

General Comments:

The 4x4 short bed is stylish. Looks great with the 33" BFG T/A KO tires, a 2" leveling kit, and Hellwig rear helper springs.

The engine is quick and strong. I made it more so by adding a Poweraid throttle body spacer, a twin K&N filter intake performance kit made by Rock-It and sold by Turbo City, a JET stage 2 performance computer module, and a 3" Magna Flow muffler and free flow exhaust system. The end result? 300 (+/-) HP and 400 (+/-) lb ft of torque.

Summary:

Won't buy another one

Faults:

The original truck was finally replaced after 8 weeks, numerous letters to the dealer, district manager, and arbitration. I had paid cash, and did not have a vehicle for that time, not much for customer relations.

Wouldn't run worth a damn at the high altitudes where I live in Colorado, gutless, stalling, rough running. Unfortunately it had run OK where I purchased it at a much lower altitude. No-one could figure it out, they thought I was being picky, until several other customers also complained. Was a smog device, O2 sensor issue according to the dealer, (they thought it sounded good eh)???

Plastic interior parts are cracking already, no hard use, they just get too brittle in the 0 degree winter weather. You would think in a $35,000 truck they would use better quality materials.

Pop's out of 4 wheel drive when shifting from reverse to forward. Transmission sticks in LOW in cold weather, will not up-shift. Very hard to put in 4 wheel drive when below 32 degrees, sometimes impossible.

Decent power, OK gas mileage for a full size truck. Will look at a Toyota for sure next time around. Was warned ahead of time by other truck owners.

General Comments:

The truck is OK, I made the mistake of buying it for it's good looks. Just like on women, it's the inside that counts, but you don't find out till it's too late.

Shop around, and if you mind is set on the Dodge, take it for a serious test drive first, not just down the street. If the dealer balks, MOVE ON.

10th Apr 2001, 19:34

I hope you can help me. I need all the information I can get on the Dodge Ram 1500 V-8 2000 model. I am especially interested in problems with the transmission. I have a new truck 45,000 miles and the transmission went out. Dodge told me "Sorry" not under warranty. I know of 4 other people that have have this same problem. Any information you can provide would be very helpful. E-mail to: willis99@kih.net.